By BMW Sauber F1
July 5 2006

Despite the early exit of both drivers at the Grand Prix of the USA, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is one of the three most reliable teams of the 2006 Formula One season so far. Up to now, Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve have only suffered few problems with the car. Reliability is one of the most important issues in the high-speed sport of Formula One racing. After all, not only top speeds and fast pit stops decide over victory or defeat. The reliability of the vehicles plays an important role in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Following ten completed races, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has been able to grasp a leading position in this category. Despite the fact that both drivers failed to reach the finish line in Indianapolis, Jacques Villeneuve and Nick Heidfeld have completed a total of 1099 race laps, third best of all teams following Renault and Ferrari.

In the internal drivers ranking, Nick Heidfeld is just ahead of his team colleague with a total number of 552 completed laps. Jacques Villeneuve, however, is only behind by the narrowest of margins, having covered 547 race laps. So far, together both drivers failed to finish a Grand Prix only five times this season. Currently, the BMW Sauber F1 Team holds third place in this category as well.

The reliability of the cars and the drivers also reflects in the World Championship classification. At least one driver of the BMW Sauber F1 team managed to collect points in seven out of ten season races so far.